Purple 92 SS

So this past november, I went to start my purple car, and back it out of the driveway. Car fired up fine, went to move it, and it felt real stiff in the steering. So i was like, shoot,I probably snapped a belt, well... while i was backing up my buddy bent over and picked up my complete belt off the ground, unbroken, and in good shape. So i was like shoot.. Now what. I pop the hood after shutting her down, and look at the tensioner, thinking it was that, and It looked ok, so i lean in and put one hand on my alternator for support only to find theres no support there.. the alternator moved freely, in its bracket.. I was shocked. So, I was wondering what you all thought, and how I'd be able to break the bracket on a serpentine setup.. heres some photos...

(as a side note, I replaced the bracket already, with a used one, that I powdercoated "chrome" look. It was my first powder coated piece, and turned out ok, but not the greatest. I may redo it later. )

These are photos of the bracket broken in the engine bay.

Purple 92 SS

wow. i figured after awhole day i'd at least get an OMG how'd you do that reply.

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

Do you have the alternator support bracket? It goes from the back of the alternator to the first bolt on the exhaust manifold. If this is missing that is most likely what caused your problem.

Purple 92 SS

no, dont have it. dont have it on both my 89 rs and my 92..

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

Also if you run A/C there is one that goes from the A/C compresser to a bolt on the intake manifold. Maybe someone can post a picture for you.

Purple 92 SS

nope dont run ac on the purple car..

rgarcia63

Can't tell you why it happens, but OMG, I thought I was the only one.

I don't know if any of the bolts in holes with good threads were missing, or they loosened and backout with vibration, but the one you show was missing and the two lower ones, the other one on the outer side of the head was stripped, but holding on, I forced a standard thread bolt in it's place, and stole one from the A/C compressor side, put it on at the lowest point and made it home. Of the three that were missing two were broken off flush with the block, the other in the head.
I bored out all the holes and installed heli-coils and ARP bolts including the A/C side (bolts only) with lock-washers and thread locker. Those stock button head socket bolts suck.

Purple 92 SS

yea, all my bolts were tight except the one right under the alternator above the power stering on the outside edge of the head. I cant figure out what caused it. Its really odd.. Im glad to know that Im not the only one that had that problem though. The stock bolts do suck. your right about that. I replaced it with another used bracket that i powdercoated chrome, it looks ok, but it was my first attempt at powdercoating, so its not the greatest...

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Three thoughts come to mind:

1) Inadequate support (sounds like you've eliminated a brace).
2) Loose fasteners (you say they were tight).
3) Purple engine paint.

naf

iTrader: (7)

Purple aids in cooling (and aerodynamics)

rgarcia63

I would use a straight edge to check that the the bolt hole pads on the block are level with the ones on the head, and check the ones on the bracket as well, and insure that nothing get caught between the block/head to bracket surfaces.

Purple 92 SS

Ive really not thought that the brace was that valuable. I did check all the bolts, only 1 was loose, the others were tight. I definately tightened them all again when i put the new bracket on it, and the surface was smooth..and clean. as for the purple paint, well, its better than being a conformist with another color... everyone has orange motors.

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

Yes, the bracket is very important. Without it as you found out the alternator will eventially break off.

rgarcia63

Sounds like you have this brace(s,) Got any pics, any one?

Purple 92 SS

remember the car is a 92, so its got a serpentine setup on it. is teh brace on the serpentine setups too? I'd love to see photos of the said brace.

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

Yes, the brace is on the serpentine cars. Here is the picture of the one on my car. The brace is black and may not show up that well in the picture. But it is in the center of the picture and bolts onto the back of the alternator and goes down and bolts to the first bolt on the header.

Supervisor42

That's wierd. The top brace on my '88 went from the alternator back to the TPI manifold. See pic.
BTW 1989GTA, love them socks! The ones on the spark plug wires that is. Where'd ya get'em?

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

Yes, GM evolved the bacing system. I bought the socks at a local speed shop. I can't remember who made them but they have worked out well. It was one of the name brands who make ignition wires.

I also used Earl's header gaskets and locking header bolts in the hard to get to places. So far that combo is working out real well.

So no burned spark plug wires or leaky headers.

Supervisor42

Looks like you have some homework to do. Most everybody I know is fed-up with burned plug wires from headers and we need your source. Everyone has gone spastic over anything made with asbestos and you can't find sh** nowdays.
"You're our only hope, Obi Wan"

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

See if this link works. http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...0+115&x=33&y=7

Purple 92 SS

hm. i may have to look into that brace then. I just never had it on the purple car.. ill double check to see if its on the convertible.

rgarcia63

Isn't the bolt on the header longer than stock? Wouldn't you have to bend the brace at the header bolt to adjust it to the new angle?

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

The bolt is the stock length. There is a spacer on the header to make up the difference in thickness from the cast iron manifold.

Purple 92 SS

a spacer? do yu have a photo of this?